If His People Listen

"If my people but would listen to me..." Psalm 81:13a

In one form or another, God sure says this a lot in His Word. The implications are many. This is one of those phrases that best can be illustrated word by word. Let me reflect a little on each word to give us some direction for devotional consideration today.

IF...... this means of course that it could or could not necessarily happen. Depends on us. We get to choose whether or not we experience the promises that invariably follow God's ifs.

MY..... only those who are His get to consider this. If God uses the word my to describe me that means that I belong to Him. I am blessed thinking in those terms.

PEOPLE.... not leaders, priests, prophets or the most obedient ones only or those who are well off or doing well or who have lots of their act together. Just people, anybody, and everybody who is willing to be His.

BUT… this word always reminds me of my excuses. But, But, But. We always have a question, an exception, a special situation or condition, some "reason" to say but.

WOULD….. not just should or could but actually would. I know I should and I know I could, but would I? Would is where the commitment is implied and is about obedience.

LISTEN….. quietly, focused on Him without rolling our eyes or being distracted or trying to multitask. Listen with the goal being to hear, really hear what God is saying to us.

TO…….. this word simply directs the attention toward who we His people are supposed to be listening to.

ME.... obviously the me here is not you or me, it is Him. Isn't it interesting that when we hear the word me we automatically think of ourselves. We are so often the "first person" in our considerations, instead of Him.

When you slow it down a little it makes you think about just how often in the Bible we are asked to listen or hear. Probably, because we tend not to very often. Listening seems to be an acquired ability. Oh, we want the results or blessings or bottom line benefits, but not necessarily do we always want to hear what God is saying.

I wonder what God could do if we really listened. What would happen IF..... HIS PEOPLE.... WITHOUT BUTS... WOULD LISTEN... TO HIM.

When I do it makes a huge difference in my life, for the better. Hope this touches your heart with a sense of how much God is trying to reach us and that we have the opportunity to experience so much more.

IF we would. May you be enveloped in His will and grace today.

His,

Pastor Fred

Why Be Kind

Proverbs 12:25
"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."

Anxiety is very heavy, but kindness really lightens life's load.  Scripture is clear, "Be anxious for nothing".  Easy to say and easy to believe in a sense.  But, it does not eliminate anxiety.  We worry and stress, mostly unnecessarily.  The overwhelming majority of the things we are anxious about, never come to pass, but we too often fear the worse.
   
This verse illustrates that anxiety can be a load, but just one kind word can tip the scales in the other direction.  The power of kindness is underestimated.  The load of our worries seem insurmountable at times, but His grace is sufficient.  Please allow me to speak kindness into your life today from my heart.

God loves you.  He knows your need, your hurt and your concerns.  He already knows how it works out.  He has plans for you.  He spoke the world into existence.  Your life came from Him, is sustained by Him and will be with Him forever.  His promises are true.  He is immutable . He is omnipotent.  He cares for you.  Cast all your cares on Him.  His loving kindness is perfect.  He has overcome the world.  There is nothing too great for Him.  Praise Him and trust Him.

By His Spirit,


Pastor Fred

Faith, Hope and Love

I Corinthians 13:13

And now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

At least a couple of days out of each week, I get the privilege of making my bed.  You’re probably thinking to yourself, “What kind of a sick person thinks that making the bed is a privilege?”   Call me crazy if you like, but for me, it is therapeutic on many levels.  First, it allows me to display one of the skills I learned and perfected in the Marine Corps.  As my wife frequently says, “Nobody makes a bed like Henry”!  I do get a measure of satisfaction in doing something and doing it well, even if it is something as mundane as making a bed.

Secondly, it gives me a chance to be of service.  It blesses me and makes me smile knowing that someone appreciates something I’ve done for them.  Besides, I DO sleep in the bed, too, right?  It’s only fitting and proper that I should make it when I have the opportunity to do so.  And I will admit that I actually like having a nice, neat bed to crawl into at the end of a long day.  There’s just something very comforting about that. 

Lastly, making the bed reminds me of today’s Scripture passage, which is the foundation for my philosophy of life.  You knew I was going to get around to tying it in somehow, didn’t you?  But how does it remind me of today’s passage, you ask?  Well, let me explain…You see, my wife is the decorator of our bedroom, so we have pillows everywhere.  Big ones, small ones, lacy ones, fluffy ones.  What can I say, she likes pillows.  Anyway, 3 of the small pillows are embroidered with the words “Faith”, “Hope”, and “Love”.  Every time I see them, I think about what each word means to me.  Faith:  Having a belief in something bigger than yourself, even if you can’t see it with your own eyes. Just knowing that ANYTHING is possible, thanks to the One who is in control of everything!  Hope:  Never giving up, even when the odds seem overwhelming. With God, there is always reason for hope.  Love:  The GREATEST!  Nothing is better, more powerful, or capable of changing things than love.  Even in a world seemingly overcome with hate, love is triumphant!  I firmly believe that if you have a little faith, never lose hope, and share love, that you can change the world in which we live, and help to make it a better place for everyone!  Isn’t that just the GREATEST?  

Love in Jesus,

Hank

How Great And How Profound

Psalm 92:5

"How great are your words Lord, how profound your thoughts."

This is not a question.  David is making a statement of God's immeasurable greatness and total profundity.  No one any greater, no one more profound.  What is great and profound about God? That question is answered in this verse.  His words are great!  Why?  Because they are the Very Word of God.  They are true and eternal, infallible and perfect.

So then, what is profound about God?  His thoughts!  He does not think like us.  This is why we must desire to have the mind of Christ.  It is the only way we can be like-minded.  His thoughts are also perfect, infallible, true and eternal.

Sometimes I think I know it all and other times I think I know nothing.  At both times I should think...."How great are your words Lord, how profound your thoughts."  That should help keep me in perspective.  And I need that all the time.

In His Truth,


Pastor Fred 

Believing Is Saying

Psalm 91:2

" I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Two questions.  When it comes to my faith... 1. Do I believe what I say?  2. Do I say what I believe?

I believe the first question must be answered first.  Do we really believe what we say we believe?  Or, do we just say stuff that sounds right or sounds Biblical, or is like other things that other believers say?  Maybe a better question is... Do we know what we believe?  Good question.

The second question is especially important if we know what we believe, because believing it is one thing and saying it is another.  We probably don't speak our faith enough.  Questions from the verse could be ... Is the Lord your God, our refuge and our fortress?  And...Do we trust Him?

If He really is and we really do, and we really believe it, we should say it more often.  The Word of God is truth.  We should speak it often as what we believe.

Speaking His truth,

Pastor Fred 

Rest

Psalm 91:1
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

Sometimes when I talk about needing sleep, what I really need is rest.  I am not so much sleepy as I am weary.  I am weary from worry, weary from stress, weary from trouble.  I know this is not a sleep issue, because after I awake following a great sleep, those concerns are still there.  So this Psalm gives me an antidote.  A prescription for my weariness.  A clue as to how to rest.

I think the key to the whole verse is the word 'dwell'.  The Hebrew word for dwell is 'yashab' which is defined as sit, remain or abide.  The original language is often so illustrative.  I cannot rest much while standing.  Sitting helps to settle me down.  I often need to be 'sat down' in order for me to listen or focus.  'Remaining' carries some connotation for me also.  I need to stay put for a while in order to rest.  Remaining longer than I want can be good for me.

The last piece of the definition is equally as meaningful. 'Abiding' is vital.  Not only should I sit and stay, I should be tethered to Him.  Abiding in Him.  Connected permanently. I know I am, but to practice it is deeper.  Hope this offers the weary a way to consider rest.  I say I want it, but am I willing to do it?

Oh how wonderful and peaceful the shadow of the Almighty is.  Like nothing else.  Jesus would ask us to sit, remain and abide.  When we do, the rest will come.

In His Presence,


Pastor Fred 

A Lesson About The Sea

Job 38:8-11 "Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it and thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars and place when I said, “This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt”?

It is Friday today.  I am writing devotionals for next week.  I often write in view of the ocean.  I cannot adequately express my love for the sea.  The beauty, the power, the awesomeness and the serenity.

This passage from Job that describes the sea from God's perspective as the One who created it is amazing to me.  Probably why my attraction to it is so deep because I both love it and have an awesome fear of it too.  Like God.  Similar feelings.  God gives me life and someday will take my life into eternity.

I would not last long in the ocean without help.  I am not a strong swimmer.  I do plan to have my ashes put in the sea.  Maybe that represents my oneness with God.  My soul will be with My God and my Savior forever in heaven.  For now I will serve Him here.  But this ocean is somehow how I get close.  He shows me His love, grace, beauty, power and hope here.

Receiving that from this view and His Word today.

Pastor Fred

Strength and Encouragment

Today, just three (3) scripture verses that have given me strength and encouragement at really low points in my life:

“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you.  I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.  Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them.  Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.  For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.  Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”  Isaiah 41:8-14

“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all His benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel: The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  Psalm 103:2-13

“On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines.  On this mountain He will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; He will swallow up death forever.  The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove His people’s disgrace from all the earth.  The Lord has spoken.”  Isaiah 25:6-8

John Adams

Two Commands

I John 3:23
"This is His command: to believe in the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us."

Believe and love.  Pretty simple, but not always easy.  But they do go together and feed off each other.  This is not a choice or advice.  This is not an option.  God commands both.

If we really believe we will love, and the more we love, the more deeply we can believe.  We love because He loves us, not because we deserve it.  I can be unlovable.  Love me anyway. Jesus does.  Same for you.  I know you can be hard to love too.  I must love you anyway.  Love wins.

God is love. His love is the greatest.  This is what inspires me to love and to be loved.  No matter what happens today we are commanded to believe in Him and to love one another.  No matter what.

Join me in doing what He commands. Believe and love one another.

With His Love,


Pastor Fred 

Lord's Prayer

Lord's Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13

"This then is how you should pray....
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen."

No commentary.... just pray it with me a couple more times and let it sink in.

With His Love and mine,


Pastor Fred


P.S. I wrote this from memory, so it may be Revised Standard Version from when I was 13 and memorized it. 

Philippians 4:12

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any situation."

As you probably know, life is a series of ups and downs.  A cycle of joy and sorrow, easier times and harder times, successes and failures, peace and conflict.

Paul understood that sometimes his needs were met and sometimes not.  Sometimes his situation was inspiring, sometimes almost unbearable.  He says he has learned the secret to dealing with life.  He shares that secret in Philippians 4:13... "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."  Paul has learned that in his own strength he cannot handle everything that life brings, from one end of the spectrum to the other.  That doesn't mean that he handled everything perfectly and easily from this verse forward.

Even when we know the secret, we forget, or are weak, or rebellious, or don't apply the truth we know.  I am sure Paul struggled with pride and self-pity, like we all do, even after penning these insightful words.

For me, I am still learning and won't stop.  I am weak, do not apply truth and sometimes forget.  I also have pride issues and am self-pitying.  But, as I confess that, I also know that I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Lord forgive me and forgive us all. We need you.

Humbly in His Service,

Pastor Fred 

So Much Good Stuff From Isaiah

“So Much Good Stuff from Isaiah – The Prophet”

As I was working on getting the materials ready for the Thanksgiving Food Baskets for this year, I was reminded what this is all about as I read our G.U.I.L.D. motto our loud – “Is it not to share your food with the hungry… when you see the naked, to clothe him?  Isaiah 58:7

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite of the holidays because it forces me to just take the time to stop and think about how much I have to be thankful for.  How wonderful it is at this time of the year to remember the number of people in our lives that we’re so thankful to know.  For some, this time of the year is very difficult for them because they may be going through a season in their lives where they don’t feel there is that much for which to be thankful.  That’s where I think that we, as Christian brothers and sisters, come into the mix.  It is the very time we, because we are thankful for all that we have - food, clothing, shelter, family, friends, freedom, cars, and the list goes on, that it’s only natural we should want to and do bless others.  We can take a lesson from our elementary school students and their parents here at Grace Harbor School who are doing exactly that.  They are collecting much needed staple items of all sorts, assembling them in Ziploc plastic bags, and placing them in their cars, so that they have supplies readily accessible to pass out to homeless people they come across.  I’m sure that it pleases God that we don’t take our name lightly – we are truly a “harbor of grace” for those that need to see Him in action.

One of my devotionals (A Woman’s Daily Prayer Book) this week was based on another “good stuff” Isaiah verse – “Learn to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17  The author  noted, and I wholeheartedly agree, that “learning to do good for the sake of others is one of life’s most fulfilling endeavors”.

As it was her prayer in that devotional, which I will share you, in its entirety, is the hope that it will be the prayer of many of you, and that it speaks to your hearts:

            “Lord, teach me how to help and defend the vulnerable people around

me – the children the sick, the infirm, the elderly, the poor.  They are

easily taken advantage of by those more powerful than they are, but I

know you have a special place in your heart for them.  Help me not to

look the other way, when intervening would be inconvenient or

scary. Grant me your wisdom, insight, and grace to effectively help

wherever and whenever I can.” Amen

I will not have the chance to share another devotional before Thanksgiving, so I will take this opportunity to wish all of God’s children a blessings-filled Thanksgiving.  We welcome you to join us every Sunday at Grace Harbor for Children’s Sunday School and Adult Bible Study at 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.

Love In Him,

Charlotte 

The 23rd Psalm

Psalm 23
 "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures,  He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."


Some days I just need something I know for sure in my heart. In the face of the unknown, uncontrollable and unbelievable, this I know and this I believe because My Shepherd controls everything. I trust Him implicitly.

Faithfully,

Pastor Fred